The Bowie Jackrabbits lost a tough game at Ponder on Friday night that got away from them after a promising start.
The Lions ended up winning the game 36-26 in a game that was winnable for the Jackrabbits, but too many things did not go their way.
Bowie came into the game following their toughest loss of the season against Paradise. The Jackrabbits sat 3-3 on the season and were 0-2 in district.
Ponder came into the game 4-2 and were 1-1 in district, coming off a three-point loss to Vernon.
Bowie started the game well as Tyler Richey scored on a short run to put the Jackrabbits up 7-0. Following an interception from Lane Whitfield, Bowie scored early in the second quarter, with a drive again ending with Richey scoring on a short run. The Jackrabbits led 13-0.
At some time Bowie was dealt a blow when interior lineman Jorge DeLeon went down with an injury. This eventually led to Ponder being able to establish a good running game, which then fed into explosive plays in the passing game.
The Lions scored on a seven-yard pass to cut Bowie’s lead to 13-7. The Jackrabbits answered when Rayder Mann scrambled to his left and found Bradly Horton behind the defense for a 56-yard touchdown pass. Bowie’s lead extended to 20-7.
Still in the second quarter, Ponder was able to wrestle the lead away. Quarterback Tyson Price got loose on a 44-yard run. He then found another receiver for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
The Lions went into halftime up 21-20.
Bowie started the second half strong with a drive down into Ponder territory. This time, it was running back Justin Clark who found the end zone on a short run. The Jackrabbits were back in the lead up 26-21.
The Lions got the lead back in the third quarter when Price found his receiver open for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The good two-point conversion had Ponder leading 29-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
Bowie’s offense continued to be stalled by untimely penalties which did not allow the Jackrabbits to answer back in the final period.
The Lions added one more score to their lead on a short run to go up by at least two scores 36-26. Bowie had no answer as the Jackrabbits fell to 0-3 in district play.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.